ABSTRACT

The 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats outline a comprehensive approach to support companion animal practices in improving the oral health and often, the quality of life of their canine and feline patients. The guidelines are an update of the 2013 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. A photographically illustrated, 12-step protocol describes the essential steps in an oral health assessment, dental cleaning, and periodontal therapy. Recommendations are given for general anesthesia, pain management, facilities, and equipment necessary for safe and effective delivery of care. To promote the wellbeing of dogs and cats through decreasing the adverse effects and pain of periodontal disease, these guidelines emphasize the critical role of client education and effective, preventive oral healthcare.

ABSTRACT

The effects of intramuscular injection of alfaxalone ([ALF] 5 mg/kg), acepromazine ([ACE] 0.05 mg/kg), and an ALF-ACE combination ([AA] 0.025 mg/kg ACE followed by 2.5 mg/kg ALF) on the sedation, echocardiographic, biochemical, and blood gas indexes and recovery were evaluated in seven cats. No sedation was obtained with ACE, and sedation scores were higher with ALF than with AA treatment. Compared with baseline, an increase in heart rate occurred after ACE, and all treatments caused a decrease in systemic arterial pressure. Decreased left ventricular internal dimension in diastole, end-diastolic volume of the left ventricle, stroke volume, and left atrial dimension were identified after AA. There were minimal changes in echocardiographic variables after ALF. Biochemical and blood gas analysis showed no significant changes after all treatments. Although the difference in quality of recovery between the AA and ALF treatment groups was insignificant, all cats treated with AA or ALF showed ataxia. The AA combination did not change the recovery score, and tremor and twitching were identified more frequently with AA than ALF. ALF had no significant effects on echocardiographic, biochemical, or blood gas variables. ALF could be considered a useful sedative option for diagnostic procedures and echocardiography in cats.

ABSTRACT

Epilepsy, or recurrent seizures, is reported to be the most common neurologic condition in dogs; 20–30% of epileptic dogs are considered to be pharmacoresistent to one medication. The hormone melatonin has been shown to have significant anticonvulsant effects; epileptic humans have lower serum melatonin levels than unaffected individuals. We hypothesize that serum levels of melatonin will be lower in dogs with seizures as compared with normal dogs. Sixty-two dogs were enrolled in the study: 29 normal dogs (Group 1) and 33 dogs with seizures (Group 2). Blood sampling was done at three separate time points (8:00 a.m., 12:00, and 4:00 p.m.). The majority of dogs in Groups 1 (69%) and 2 (76%) had serum melatonin levels <0.5 pg/mL as measured by radioimmunoassay. There were no significant differences in serum melatonin values between the groups or within groups when time of blood draw, length of sample freezing, time of day/year of sampling, or presence of anticonvulsant therapy were compared. There were no notable differences in daytime serum melatonin values in normal dogs versus dogs with seizures. The majority of daytime serum melatonin levels were <0.5 pg/mL in dogs with and without seizures.

ABSTRACT

Intervertebral disc disease is one of the leading causes of paralysis in dogs. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy has been advocated for improving wound healing and pain reduction; however, robust clinical trials are lacking. The present prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated targeted PEMF therapy administered to 53 client-owned dogs who underwent hemilaminectomy for naturally occurring disk extrusion intervertebral disc disease. The dogs were randomized to receive either targeted PEMF (n = 27) or placebo treatment (n = 28). Wound healing, evaluated by visual analog score and wound evaluation scale, was significantly improved at 6 wk postoperatively in the treatment compared with the control group (P = .010 and .023, respectively). Pain medications were administered less frequently in dogs receiving PEMF treatment during the 7 day postoperative period compared with the control treatment group (P = .010) with codeine administered 1.8 times more frequently in the control group. No untoward effects were recorded in either treatment group. More frequent evaluation of outcome measures with larger patient numbers, as well as histologic samples, may be useful in future studies. Dogs receiving PEMF therapy following postoperative hemilaminectomy demonstrated improved wound scores at 6 wk and reduced mean number of owner-administered pain medications compared with the control group therapy.

ABSTRACT

The role of hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) secondary to endocrine diseases in the occurrence of pancreatitis in dogs has not been fully investigated. The objective of the present study was to evaluate HTG as a mediator between endocrine diseases and pancreatitis in dogs. The study design was a retrospective case-control study. Medical records of dogs newly diagnosed with acutely presenting pancreatitis between 2012 and 2014 were reviewed for the presence or absence of hyperadrenocorticism (HAC), diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypothyroidism. A matched case-control analysis was performed, and the association between endocrine diseases and pancreatitis was evaluated using multiple logistic regression analysis. In dogs with pancreatitis, the odds of HAC (P < .001) and DM (P < .001) were 4.5 and 12.4 times that of dogs without pancreatitis, respectively. HTG significantly mediated the association between DM and pancreatitis but not between HAC and pancreatitis. Additional studies will be necessary to confirm these findings and to further elucidate the associations between endocrine diseases and pancreatitis.

ABSTRACT

Combination chemotherapy can be an effective option for treating resistant lymphoma in dogs. This retrospective study examined the tolerability and efficacy of the combination of 5-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)-imidazole-4-carboxamide (dacarbazine) (DTIC) in a population of dogs with lymphoma resistant to a doxorubicin-containing chemotherapy protocol. Mitoxantrone was administered at 5 mg/m ² IV over 10 min followed by DTIC at 600 mg/m ² IV over 5 hr, every 3 wk. All dogs were treated with prophylactic trimethoprim–sulfadiazine and metoclopramide. The frequency of grade 4 neutropenia was 18%, and 5% of dogs were hospitalized from sepsis. Gastrointestinal toxicity was uncommon. The overall response rate was 34% (15 of 44; 95% confidence interval 20–48%) for a median duration of 97 days (range 24–636 days, 95% confidence interval 44–150 days). Fourteen of 15 dogs who received mitoxantrone and DTIC as first rescue responded to treatment. Dogs who achieved complete remission to their initial L-asparaginase, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone chemotherapy protocol were more likely to respond to mitoxantrone and DTIC (23 versus 11%, P = .035). The combination of mitoxantrone and DTIC is a safe treatment option for resistant lymphoma in dogs.

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Medical records (2004–2016) of five dogs with a thoracolumbar spinal arachnoid diverticula (SAD) that was diagnosed with stress myelography in four dogs and magnetic resonance imaging in three, and who had hemilaminectomy, diverticular marsupialization, and vertebral stabilization, were reviewed. Data on previous treatment, pre- and postoperative neurologic status, diagnostic findings, surgical techniques, and outcomes was retrieved. Follow-up clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed immediately; ∼1, 2, and 6 mo postoperatively; and at annual follow-up examinations.

The stress myelography demonstrated spinal cord dynamic compression in three of four dogs and change in size or shape of the SAD in all four. Two dogs who had SAD recurrences 4 and 13 mo after previous surgical dural fenestration, and one dog with no previous SAD treatment demonstrated long-term neurological improvement after vertebral stabilization (49, 77, and 126 mo). In two other dogs, recurrence of clinical signs was observed at the follow-up (8 and 12 mo).

This case series suggested that repetitive spinal cord injury from the dynamic lesion appears to be one potential cause of thoracolumbar SADs. In cases with dynamic lesions confirmed by stress myelography, vertebral stabilization with conventional techniques is indicated to prevent SAD recurrence.

ABSTRACT

A 2 yr old, neutered male rottweiler was evaluated for a chronic cough that had acutely worsened. Computed tomographic examination revealed a diffuse alveolar pattern in the right, middle, and left cranial lung lobes. Aerated parenchymal tissue was not observed in the left cranial lung lobe, and both lobes were markedly decreased in volume. Lobectomy of the right middle and left cranial lung lobes was performed. Histopathologic examination of both lungs identified alveolar collapse associated with marked chronic bronchial and bronchiolar luminal concentric fibrosis leading to reduced airway lumen diameter and bronchiolar destruction. The clinical signs and airway pathology were consistent with constrictive bronchiolitis obliterans. The dog remained stable for over 2 yr with glucocorticoid therapy and intermittent antimicrobics. Although the polypoid form of bronchiolitis obliterans has been described in cattle and occasionally in dogs, constrictive bronchiolitis obliterans has not been reported previously in veterinary species.

ABSTRACT

No standardized treatment guidelines are reported in veterinary medicine for dogs with large pituitary corticotroph neoplasms causing neurological signs, and such dogs usually have a short overall survival. When these dogs undergo pituitary surgery and the tumor regrows there are few reports of subsequent treatments.

A 7 yr old male Maltese diagnosed with pituitary-dependent hypercortisolism developed seizures in conjunction with a large pituitary corticotroph adenoma and underwent transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. After 3 yr of clinical remission, hypercortisolism recurred, and trilostane therapy was initiated. One year later, the dog developed new neurological signs and computed tomography revealed regrowth of a large pituitary mass that was then treated with radiation therapy. The dog lived disease-free for 3 more yr. At postmortem examination, a more aggressive pituitary neoplasm than the one examined at the time of surgery was found, which is suggestive of malignant transformation into a carcinoma despite the absence of convincing metastasis.

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A 9 mo old female intact golden retriever presented for evaluation of chronic lethargy and decreased appetite. The serum biochemistry profile revealed increased liver enzymes consistent with a mixed hepatocellular and cholestatic pattern. A multiphase computed tomography angiography was performed to evaluate for a portosystemic shunt. Numerous hyperattenuating nodules were identified throughout the liver on the noncontrast-enhanced series. Histologic evaluation of percutaneous needle biopsy samples of a liver nodule showed a rare form of hepatitis called lobular dissecting hepatitis. Lobular dissecting hepatitis should be considered as a differential in young dogs with precontrast hyperattenuating hepatic nodules on noncontrast-enhanced computed tomography.

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A 12 yr old male neutered beagle was presented on transfer to the intensive care unit with severe anemia, thrombocytopenia, and bruising detected 1 day after undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy surgery. The patient had undergone extra-capsular stifle stabilization surgery 14 wk prior to treat ligament disease in the same knee. Laboratory testing and treatment for anemia, presumptive immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, and possible hemostatic disorder was initiated. A persistent anemia, progressive thrombocytopenia, and the development of a firm swelling and neurologic impairment in the limb raised concerns for compartment syndrome (CS). A musculoskeletal ultrasound revealed a large aneurysm in the caudal thigh surrounded by abnormal muscle tissue. The patient underwent amputation of the limb and recovered without further complication. Pathology findings were consistent with the development of femoral CS secondary to a ruptured peripheral arterial aneurysm or a pseudoaneurysm. A consumptive thrombocytopenia and regenerative anemia were attributed to periodic or progressive thrombosis of the vessel and regional hemorrhage. Postoperative CS can develop in combination with peripheral arterial aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm, and screening for vascular abnormalities as well as CS should be considered in complicated recovery from orthopedic surgery with compatible clinical signs including progressive soft tissue swelling, persistent anemia, and thrombocytopenia.

ABSTRACT

Hypercalcemia was identified in a canine patient with a benign vaginal leiomyoma. Subsequent diagnostic workup did not reveal hypercalcemia of malignancy. Surgical resection of the leiomyoma resulted in a conversion to normocalcemic status. Although rare, hypercalcemia of benignancy should be considered in a patient in which hypercalcemia is identified via clinical pathology.